By Nkechi Eze
Troops of 8 Division Nigerian Army, operating under Sector 2 of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have recorded another major operational success with the storming and destruction of the stronghold of notorious bandit kingpin, Gwaska Dan Karmi, during which scores of bandits were neutralised after a fierce gun battle.
The operation, which culminated in an intense firefight, was initiated following credible intelligence indicating that more than 100 armed bandits had converged at Gwaska Dan Karmi’s camp to plan and coordinate large-scale attacks against surrounding communities as well as military supply routes in the area. Acting on this intelligence, troops conducted days of painstaking surveillance to confirm the presence, strength, and movement patterns of the criminal elements.
According to an official statement signed by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division Nigerian Army/Sector 2 Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, ground troops, with close support from the Nigerian Air Force, launched a coordinated assault on the camp on January 31, 2026.
As troops closed in on the target location, the bandits engaged them in a fierce firefight, attempting to execute flanking and encirclement manoeuvres in a desperate bid to overwhelm the advancing forces. However, the troops, demonstrating superior firepower, tactical coordination, and high combat proficiency, decisively repelled the attack and inflicted heavy casualties on the criminals.
During the encounter, scores of bandits were neutralised, while several others sustained gunshot wounds and fled the area in disarray. Following the successful clearance of the objective, the bandits’ camp was set ablaze and completely destroyed to deny the criminals any opportunity to regroup or reuse the facility.
In continuation of the operation, the Nigerian Air Force component is currently conducting interdiction missions to locate, track, and intercept fleeing bandits, while ground troops have maintained dominance of the area through aggressive patrols and consolidation activities to prevent any re-infiltration.
The statement, however, noted that the gallant troops paid a painful price in the course of the encounter, as some soldiers made the supreme sacrifice in defence of the nation. In addition, one combat enabler vehicle was hit by an enemy Rocket Propelled Grenade, causing it to catch fire.
The Nigerian Army honoured the fallen heroes for their courage, selflessness, and unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property, while reaffirming its determination to sustain relentless pressure on bandit groups and other criminal networks.
The Army further assured that combat efficiency remains high across the sector, as troops continue to dismantle bandit enclaves, degrade their operational capabilities, and disrupt their logistics and supply chains in order to restore lasting peace and security across the region.
The latest operation underscores the resolve of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to deny criminal elements freedom of action and to ensure that those who threaten the safety and stability of the nation are decisively dealt with.
